“Unconscionable” means, literally, “without a conscience,” is lacking in a moral sense. Example:  “The thief showed an unconscionable lack of feeling when he took not only jewelry but also old family photographs from the people at the nursing home.”

If you read a lot of cooking magazines, you might find a food described as having an “unctuous mouth feel” or “unctuous texture.” It means that the food coats the tongue with a smooth, almost oily layer of flavor. When … Continue reading…

“Catharsis” – a release of emotions that is triggered by a vicarious experience of something that someone else is going through, but that touches you in some way as well. Example:  “The therapist would show the ex-soldiers movies like “Platoon” … Continue reading…

To “transcend” means to rise above or go beyond. You might have heard of “transcendental meditation,” where people try to go outside of their earthbound minds and become a part of a larger consciousness. Example:  “Yo-Yo Ma’s ‘Silk Road’ project … Continue reading…

A “panacea” is a solution or remedy, something that cures all problems. Example:  “Some people say that gene therapy and designer drugs are the panacea that will solve the problem of AIDS and other diseases.”

“Pragmatic” means realistic or practical. Someone who is pragmatic is down-to-earth, and focuses on the essentials of a problem without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail. Example:  “Realizing that not all of the library’s books could be moved to the … Continue reading…

“Accord” means agreement or harmony. This noun can refer to specific agreement on an issue, or a general like-mindedness. Example:  “Faced with a potentially devastating flood risk, the city officials quickly reached an accord on which riverbanks needed the most … Continue reading…

“Plethora” means “more than enough.” It refers to a large number in general, but specifically means an amount in excess of what is necessary. Example:  “There was a plethora of choices at the dessert table; there were sixteen different pies, … Continue reading…

Some people are only comfortable around people who are very similar, while others prefer a more eclectic group of friends. “Eclectic” means “from a variety of sources.” If you’re at a nightclub with a very creative DJ, you’ll hear an … Continue reading…

“Milieu” means “environment” or “surroundings.” This word refers to both physical and metaphysical space. Example 1:  “A rose garden is the perfect milieu for a wedding.” Example 2:  “Her years in the political milieu have made her comfortable with people … Continue reading…